Instrument Cleaning Tips

Below are some tips to keep your instrument and yourself in good health and playing condition.

Wiping down your instrument after you play with a soft clean cloth is usually sufficient. Wipe off rosin dust from the strings and fingerboard and anywhere else it has accumulated. Wipe rosin from the bow stick, but not the hair.
Areas of high contact with your skin may need extra cleaning (bow hold, chinrest, fingerboard, neck, pegs). Only use natural cleaning products without any alcohol or solvent, like Method All Purpose cleaner. Spray the cleaning solution on a soft cloth, not directly on the instrument! Wipe off dirt, sweat, and makeup. Method All Purpose cleaner may also be used to gently clean the front, back, sides, and scroll of your instrument. Instrument varnish is very delicate. Test a small area first to be certain the varnish is not damaged.
Never use alcohol or solvent-based products. Alcohol, solvent, and hand sanitizer will damage the varnish on your instrument.

Avoid sharing instruments. Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after handling your instrument. Regarding sanitizing and disinfecting your instrument: You can safely use a dab of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab or tiny piece of cloth to wipe ONLY the strings and fingerboard of your instrument.
Do not touch any other parts with alcohol.
Never use alcohol-based products on varnished wood. Alcohol, solvent, and hand sanitizer will damage the varnish on your instrument.
The inside of cases can be sprayed with an aerosol disinfectant such as Lysol. Remove the instrument, lightly spray the inside surface of the case, and let the case sit open until the surface is dry before placing the instrument back into it.

Information provided by William Harris Lee & Company and Yamaha